Avoid Trouble, Know A Vacation Scam When You See It
Travel services, unlike most purchases, are frequently paid for before the trip begins. Sadly, this provides an opportunity for shady predators to steal your money. Moreover, Some vacation packages turn out to be significantly different from what is advertised or what the customer anticipates. Even worse, others are complete scams.
There are a few things to check for if you see an online ad or receive an email, text or phone call offering a free (or exceptionally low-cost) vacation to a popular destination such as Florida, Hawaii or Mexico:
– Does it appear that the pricing is too good?
– Have you been asked for a credit card number?
– Do you feel pressure to make a quick decision?
– Is the provider merely referring to a “big airline” or does the agent provide a selection of airlines without being able to specify which one you’ll be flying with?
– Is the agent unable or unwilling to provide you with the company’s street address?
– Have you been told that you can’t depart for at least two months? Most con artists are aware that the deadline for disputing credit card transactions is 60 days.
If you notice any of these warning signs, proceed with caution. Furthermore, request that written information be supplied to you, as any reputable travel business will gladly comply. If they don’t have a sales brochure, ask for a day or two to think about it. Most genuine discounts will still be valid in 48 hours. This isn’t the vacation for you if they decline both requests.
Additional advice:
– If you are told you’ve won a free trip, find out if there’s anything extra you need to pay to claim it. Some packages include free plane travel if you purchase pricey hotel accommodations. Likewise, some offer a complimentary hotel stay but no airfare.
– Compare the holiday deal to what you may get elsewhere for the same package. The allure of free flying or free lodging can mask the reality that the overall price may still be more than a standard package offer through another vendor.
– Before you buy anything, get a written confirmation of your departure date. Any promises that a suitable date would be found later should be viewed with suspicion. Ask if your payment is refundable if you wish to cancel. Does the package include traveling standby or waitlist? Can a reservation only be made later?
– If the location is a beach resort, inquire about the distance between the hotel and the beach. Follow that up by asking the actual hotel.
– Calculate the total trip cost, including all service costs, taxes, and processing fees.
– If you decide to go ahead and purchase the trip, use a credit card. This offers you specific legal rights to seek a chargeback (refund) if the promised services aren’t provided.
Always keep in mind that, if something (even a vacation package) seems too good to be true, it probably is.
